Illinois governor to push for federal spy agency relocation

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Illinois governor to push for federal spy agency relocation

O’FALLON, Ill. (AP) _ Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner has joined the effort to persuade a little-known federal spy agency to move its regional headquarters out of St. Louis.

Rauner on Monday outlined his support for relocating the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency offices during a news conference. The governor later met with 150 business leaders at a private event hosted by the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois.

St. Clair County has agreed to donate land near Scott Air Force Base and MidAmerica Airport to the combined defense and intelligence agency, which provides mapping support for the U.S. military and employs 3,000 people locally.

The agency is also considering two sites in St. Louis County and one in north St. Louis as it looks to move from its current location near the Anheuser-Busch brewery in Missouri.